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The former Brazilian leader has been arrested after authorities determined he posed a definite escape threat while under home confinement.

The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a armed takeover in September and given more than 27 years in prison, but he was staying under confinement pending legal challenges.

High Court Judge the presiding justice said the decision to arrest the elderly politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" emerged.

This encompassed trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a invitation to a public vigil that could enable a potential flight.

Legal Document Reveals Flight Fears

In a filing authorising the custody, the magistrate said intelligence from the facility tracking the former president's confinement suggested the former leader's "intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet to secure accomplishment in his flight.

This, it said, would be made easier by the disorder caused by the protest called by his son.

His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who serves as a senator, called for a meeting of his supporters near Bolsonaro's home to take place on the weekend.

The senator wrote on social media on last Friday: "Are you going to fight for your homeland, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your settee? I urge you to fight with us."

He said the vigil would be so backers could offer prayers for his well-being and for the return of democracy in our land."

Diplomatic Refuge Fears

Part of the magistrate's decision was the chance of his "relocation to diplomatic missions near the residence, considering that the inquiries revealed a history of planning to seek refuge through a consular facility", a declaration said.

The court filing highlights that the US embassy in the national capital, Brazil's capital, is located around 13km from his dwelling.

International Reactions

Bolsonaro's legal woes have provoked anger from fellow right-wing populist United States President Donald Trump, leading him to implement a fifty percent tax on Brazilian product imports.

He is being held in a federal law enforcement building in Brasilia and will undergo a imprisonment assessment on the following day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on last Friday that the former president's lawyers asked the Top Court to permit him to complete his entire prison term under domestic detention, with tracking devices.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be authorized to leave his home for healthcare, saying he required frequent medical attention for lung conditions and other health problems.

Context of Sentencing

The former president was convicted of heading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he was defeated in the 2022 election to his political opponent, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plot which involved plans to murder Lula and his VP candidate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill the presiding judge - the Supreme Court justice who has been presiding over the former president's case.

The plot was prevented because it didn't receive the backing of the army and air force commanders. Lula was inaugurated without incident on 1 January 2023.

But a week later, on the eighth of January, many Bolsonaro supporters attacked and damaged official structures in the national capital, the capital city.

The security forces stepped in and around approximately 1,500 persons were taken into custody.

The justices found that the rioters had been encouraged by him whose scheme, they said, was for the country's army to step in, bring back stability and reinstate his authority.

At the period, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence unreasonably severe".

He was also banned from campaigning for office until 2060 - eight years later after the conclusion of his imprisonment.

The one-time head of state called the court case a "witch hunt and said it was aimed at blocking him competing in the next presidential race.